Smoking Cessation Drug Chantix Doesn’t Cause Suicide, Say Researchers

British researchers found no strong evidence that links Chantix to an increased risk of suicide or self harm, despite an FDA advisory against the medication.

Chantix (Varenicline) works by reducing the enjoyment felt
when smoking and diminishing the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It is
arguably the most effective medication in helping people quit smoking, but
warnings from the FDA and other medical organizations about an increased risk
of suicide and self harm have tarnished its reputation – possibly without
valid grounds.

Researchers at the University of Bristol
and the UK Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency investigated this
risk towards self harm and suicide amongst those taking Chantix. The researchers
sorted through data from more than 80 000 people prescribed a quit smoking
product from 2006 and 2008, and using these electronic patient database records, looked
for any incidence of self harm or suicide from the time of first use of a quit
smoking product to 3 months following the last filled prescription.

They found that the Chantix caused no strongly greater risks
of suicide or self harm than did other commonly available smoking cessation
products, such as nicotine replacement delivery systems (the patch or nicotine
gum) or buproprion (Zyban).

They say that due to the limited power of their study they cannot
absolutely rule out an increased risk of suicide or self harm associated with
Chantix and call for further research to confirm their safety findings. They
say that in any case, the limited risks of suicide must always by weighed
against the significant benefits of quitting smoking and Chatix’s effectiveness
as a smoking cessation aid.